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Did you ever forget you had a book in that “to be reviewed” pile? Yes, even an organizational wizard like me loses things once in a while. Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain by Paul Meier, MD and David L. Henderson, MD is good read, especially when pains makes life unbearable. And when it feels like God has forgotten all about His children. This book is for such a time as this.

The doctors focus on seven key areas of pain, which include injustice, rejection, loneliness, loss, discipline, failure, and death. Outlining these universal struggles allows the reader to feel understood in his or her suffering, but Drs. Meier and Henderson take things a step further. Instead of focusing on the problem, individuals must look directly to God for healing from the pain. It sounds so simple, and yet it’s often the last thing Christians do.

While this book isn’t a quick fix, especially at just under 300 pages, it can be insightful for those suffering. It just isn’t a book I would give to someone who is suffering at the moment of pain. It is better read in retrospect. Still, Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain is a solid read and can help heal not only the wounded, but also makes a great resourced for Christian counselors.

I rate this book an A. I found it to be real and challenging to me – especially the chapter on discipline, I found that my concept of life is not exactly the same as my loving Father God. I continually need to refocus on His priorities for my life as presented in the examples included in this book. Maybe I have lived longer and have seen that the pain we experience if often a result of the wrong choices I have made and my Father correcting them to make me into His image. This book was excellent! Read it!

Hi Donna, Thanks for the review. I am really glad that you found encouragement from it. It is hard to write a book about finding purpose beyond our pain. Most people in the midst of pain just want relief. I get that!! I really do. I’m glad, though, that relief is not the only thing we are promised. We are also promised rewards for our pains. The greater the reward, the more bearable the pain becomes. That’s what keeps me going. Glad to know you feel the same. – david

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About Amy

Amy Sondova is a writer specializing in media writing, including interviews and reviews, as well as blogging. Having interviewed over a gazillion of the top musicians, writers, and speakers in the Christian media, Amy has also written countless columns, reviews, and articles on various topics including mental illness, self-injury, working with teenagers, and Christianity. Amy currently writes youth Bible studies, for her blog, SheIsBeloved.com, runs Share Beauty Project (ShareBeautyProject.com), and is currently working on her first book. She lives with BFF Sarah and has a Shih Tzu named Maddy, a cockatiel named Arrow, King Karl the Snail, and a fish tank known as The Bachelor Pad. She just might be Captain America's fiance.